FNC unveils agenda for new year

The new agenda-setting system came about after members complained of insufficient time to prepare for sessions and last-minute no shows from ministers.

ABU DHABI // Federal National Council agendas have been set for the rest of the year – only weeks before the federal budget, Emiratisation, and a child protection bill all come up for debate.

The new system of setting an agenda was created by the council’s general secretariat and the Ministry of FNC Affairs after members complained of insufficient time to prepare for sessions and last-minute no shows from ministers.

By the end of the term last year, several ministers had left the council stranded delaying their work and requiring weekly sessions instead of the usual bi-monthly meetings.

Dr Mohammed Al Mazroui, FNC secretary general, said setting agendas would help everyone.

“This will serve the council, as having a set timetable means members have more time to prepare for sessions and review reports due for discussion,” he said. “Also, the cabinet and ministers can benefit from reports as they will receive them earlier and have a chance to study them.”

He added that the public would be given enough advance notice to make plans to attend the sessions that concern them.

So far the council has agreed to debate all issues relating to Emiratisation on November 19, the country's first child protection law on December 10, next year's federal budget on December 24 and issues hindering scientific research in the country on January 7.

But the choice of ministers to be brought in for the discussions was up for debate at this week’s opening session.

The temporary Emiratisation committee, set to present its findings next week, disagreed with the choice of minister available for debate.

Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai) said Abdullah Ghobash, a minister of state appointed this year who now heads Tanmia, was not the right choice. Instead, he said Saqr Ghobash, the Minister of Labour, must come in for the discussion.

Mosabeh Al Kitbi (Sharjah) said Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education and chairman of the Federal Government Human Resources Authority, should appear before the committee as well. He said that while the Ministry of Labour covered the country’s private sector, Mr Al Qattami could respond to questions concerning the public sector.

“A lot of the issues we will discuss are tied to the labour law, which needs the presence of the labour minister,” Mr Al Kitbi said.

“Abdullah Ghobash is a new minister and would not be able to debate with us the points we want to raise.”

Since the private committee meetings have been with Ministry of Labour officials, he said, it was only natural that they would hold the debate with the Minister of Labour himself.

The issue is expected to be resolved in the next few days.